Author: Yukito Ayatsuji / 綾辻行人
Genre: Mystery, horror
PA works will be working on Another and the anime adaptation will be available in the coming season. Frankly I find this novel more interesting than the one Kyoani has picked, and I very much look forward to the anime. Anyway here is a teaser for you guys.
Synopsis adapted from ANN with minor amendments:
The 2009 novel centers around a school class that has a curse, and the string of unavoidable deaths that befall the boys and girls in that class.
26 years ago, in a third-year classroom of a middle school, there was a student named Misaki. As an honors student who was also good at sports, the student was popular in the class. When Misaki suddenly died, everyone in the class decided to carry on as if Misaki was still alive until graduation. Then, in the spring of 1998, a boy named Kōichi Sakakibara transfers to that classroom, and he grows suspicious of the fearful atmosphere in that classroom. In particular, there is a beautiful, aloof girl named Misaki Mei who wears an eyepatch and is always alone drawing pictures.
Introduction
... Do you know Misaki? Misaki, from Class 3 of Year Three. The story about Misaki.
Misaki... Is that a name of a person?
Yeah. I am not sure of the kanji writing. Since it could be the last name, Misaki may not necessarily be a girl. Anyhow there was a certain student called Misaki Whatever or Whatever Misaki. It was twenty-six years ago.
Twenty-six years ago... It was such a long time ago. Wasn't it the Showa Era?
1972. Or the 47th Year of Showa. The year of the Okinawa handover.
Okinawa was returned? From where?
Are you a fool? It had been occupied by the United States after the war.
I see. So that is why there is a base there.
By the way, it was also the year of the Winter Olympics in Sapporo. The year of the Asama Sansou Incident as well.
"Asama Sansou"?
Man... Anyway, twenty-six years ago, there was a student called Misaki in Class 3 of Year Three in our school. Do you really have no idea of this story?
Uh... wait. Wasn't that Masaki instead of Misaki? If that was so then I have heard of the story before.
Masaki? Umm... It could be so. From whom did you hear about that?
The seniors in my club.
How is the story?
I am not sure if it was twenty-six years ago or not. In the past there was someone called Masaki in Year Three. From what I have heard it seemed to be a boy. Somehow in that year in the particular class of Masaki, there was a very strange incident. Nonetheless it is a secret and I am not allowed to talk freely with the others about it. This is why this is all I can say.
Only that much?
Yeah. If one talks about it just for fun, it has been said that... something unlucky will happen. It must be, yeah, one of the the "Seven Mysteries" in our school.
Do you really think so?
Piccolo sounds from the music room during the midnight... Or a bloody hand sticking out of the lotus pond in the middle court... Maybe this story is the seventh of these mysteries.
Oh yeah, a real, beating heart in the anatomical model in the science room. Isn't it also one of those?
Indeed, indeed.
There are other mysteries as well. In fact I know nine to ten of the "Seven Mysteries" in our school. Still, as for the one about Misaki or Masaki... After all, its nature is quite different from the common Seven Mysteries.
Heh. So you know more about that?
Whatever.
Tell me then.
Is it alright if something bad happens?
That is just superstitious.
Yeah. Maybe that is true.
Then tell me about it.
Still, it is...
Pretty please! It is my greatest wish in my life!
How many time have you made such greatest wishes in your life?
Ehehe!
Man... Don't babble about it to the others.
I promise not to talk about it with anyone else.
Umm... okay then...
Hurray!
Misaki or Masaki... Anyway just make it Misaki. Misaki was a star in the class ever since year one. Excellent academic achievement, perfect in sports, great at drawing, even talented in music. On top of that Misaki was a beauty. If Misaki had been a boy then he must have been handsome. Anyhow Misaki was a perfect person without one single defect...
Sounds nasty. Doesn't it?
Nah. Misaki's personality was said to be great. Never arrogant or obnoxious and kind to everyone. With a healthy degree of casualness, Misaki was likeable by everyone, including both the students and the teachers. All in all Misaki was a popular person.
Hmph... There are people like that.
However, in year three, Misaki who was allocated to Class 3 suddenly died.
Eh!?
It was still the first semester. When Misaki was about to turn fifteen.
Why... Accident? Illness?
From what I have heard it was a plane crash. Misaki was travelling to Sapporo in a family trip. There were also rumours about other causes.
...
Suddenly learning about this piece of sad news, everyone in the class was at a shock.
That was understandable.
Everyone screamed, "Unbelievable!". There were even some who cried, "It must be a lie!" Many students broke down crying. Even the homeroom teacher could not utter a word. It was in such an atmosphere where someone said something. "Misaki hasn't died. See, Misaki is still here."
...
Pointing at the table used by Misaki, that person said, "See! Misaki is there. Misaki is really there. Misaki is alive and is right there." Immediately after, more and more student agreed with that. "That's true. Misaki hasn't died. Misaki is alive. Misaki is there."
How come?
Maybe no one was willing to believe that the star in the class had died. Maybe no one was willing to admit that. Still, it did not end like that. Even after that time, the whole class continued like that.
What do you mean?
Everyone in the class continued to pretend that Misaki was alive. It was said that even the teachers fully cooperated. "Right. Just as everyone says Misaki is not dead. At least in this classroom, Misaki is part of the class. From now on we will continue to work hard together. Let's graduate together." Something along this line.
Sounds like a good story. Although it is a bit eerie.
Eventually, everyone in Class 3 went on with their school life like that. Misaki's desk was also left as it had been. From time to time the students would chat with Misaki who was supposed to be there, play together, return home together, etc. But of course these were only a pretence. Even in the graduation ceremony, by the special permission of the headmaster there was a seat for Misaki.
Hmph... Still a good story. Maybe.
Yeah. Basically it is kind of a heartwarming tale. Except in the end there was a chilly twist.
Eh? What was that?
After the graduation ceremony, there was a commemorative shot taken in the classroom. Later, upon looking at the processed photo, everyone realized something was wrong. At the corner of the group photo, Misaki, who shouldn't be there was shown. With a face as white as a corpse, Misaki was smiling like everyone else...
Yes, there are some light novels that were licensed in Russia. I found only three normal licenses... Don't ask me what were other series...